Mercedes Unimog Axle - Photo 03

Mercedes Unimog axles offer unmatched ground clearance with their portal design, but the most common 404 model axles have a reputation for breaking the cast portal boxes under extreme use. Nate chose to run the much larger 406 axles, which feature 3.14 ring-and-pinion gears, 2.08 gear reduction in the hubs, and factory air lockers plumbed to the onboard air compressor with pneumatic switches. “Hopefully I never break them, because parts are nearly impossible to find,” says Nate.